Clip-In Braid Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a clip-in braid device. The device is comprised of at least one horizontal member, at least one vertical member, at least one device attachment member, at least one horizontal fastener, and at least one vertical fastener. The device allows a plurality of vertical members to be attached to the horizontal member via vertical fasteners. The vertical members are preferably removably attached in order to allow the user to replace damaged vertical members. Further, the horizontal member is attached to the device attachment members via the horizontal fasteners. The device attachment members allow a user to attach the device quickly and conveniently to the user&#39;s natural hair.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/343,672, which was filed on May 19, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of braids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clip-in braid device. The device is comprised of at least one horizontal member, at least one vertical member, at least one device attachment member, at least one horizontal fastener, and at least one vertical fastener. The device allows a plurality of vertical members to be attached to the horizontal member via vertical fasteners. The vertical members are preferably removably attached in order to allow the user to replace damaged vertical members. Further, the horizontal member is attached to the device attachment members via the horizontal fasteners. The horizontal fasteners allow a user to be able to interchange the device attachment members if they are broken or worn out. The device attachment members allow a user to attach the device quickly and conveniently to the user's natural hair. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.

BACKGROUND

Creating intricate braided hairstyles can take a considerable amount of time. It also can take an immense amount of skill to be able to create box braids that will not come undone throughout the day while worn. Further, certain hairstyles need to set for hours in order for them to be worn throughout the day. Individuals may not have time to do this as part of their morning routine. If certain hairstyles are worn without allotting the proper time to allow them to set, the hairstyles may become visually unappealing. Accordingly, having an easy way to attach and create intricate braided hairstyles would save many individuals copious amounts of time, leading to a less stressful life.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that allows a user to be able to clip-in a hairstyle and thus save hours of their day. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that eliminates the need to wait hours for their hair the set before they can wear a hairstyle. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows users to secure hair in braids or a low ponytail without taking a lot of time to do the hairstyle. There exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that offers a way to create quick, simple, fast hairstyles, while allowing users to create and maintain any desired hairstyle for any situation.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a clip-in braid device. The device is comprised of at least one horizontal member, at least one vertical member, at least one device attachment member, at least one horizontal fastener, and at least one vertical fastener. The device allows a plurality of vertical members to be attached to the horizontal member via vertical fasteners. The vertical members are preferably removably attached in order to allow the user to replace damaged vertical members. Further, the horizontal member is attached to the device attachment members via the horizontal fasteners. The device attachment members allow a user to attach the device quickly and conveniently to save the user ample amounts of time.

In this manner, the clip-in braid device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides a novel device that promotes saving time by allowing a user to attach braids to their hair without wasting time and effort.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a clip-in braid device. The device is primarily comprised of at least one horizontal member, at least one vertical member, at least one vertical fastener, at least one device attachment member, and at least one horizontal fastener.

The vertical members attach to the horizontal member in order to further attach the device to a user's hair. The horizontal member further may be comprised of a plurality of durable materials to ensure that the device remains intact. In one embodiment, the horizontal member may be comprised of a plurality of synthetic fibrous materials to ensure that the horizontal member retains strength while also resembling the user's natural hair. This would ensure that the device was functional as well as visually aesthetically pleasing.

In a differing embodiment, the horizontal member may be comprised of an interior member to further ensure strength of the horizontal member. In this embodiment, the device would be comprised of an interior chain that is wrapped in a fibrous material. This would ensure that the device will not break while also retaining the appearance of normal hair.

The device is comprised of at least one vertical member. The vertical member is intended to look like the hairstyle the user wishes to have. In differing embodiments, the vertical members may be oriented in a plurality of ways. The vertical members may be oriented in a variety of hairstyles to allow the user to have a plurality of choices. Further, the vertical members may be comprised of a variety of accessories for further customization.

In the preferred embodiment, the vertical members are attached to the horizontal member via at least one vertical fastener. The vertical fastener allows the vertical members to be removably attached. The vertical members being removably attached allows for the user to be able to interchange the vertical members with other vertical members for further customization of their hairstyle. Further, if one of the vertical members become damaged, it can easily be replaced without having to purchase an entire new device.

The device attachment members allow for the device to be attached to the user's hair. This allows for the user to be able to attach the device conveniently and quickly. This saves the user hours of time every day by allowing for quick attachment of the device.

The device is also comprised of at least one horizontal fastener. The horizontal fastener attaches the horizontal member to the device attachment members. This allows a user to be able to remove the device attachment members from the device to replace them if they become broken or worn out.

Accordingly, the clip-in braid device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides users with a way to attach intricate and complex hairstyles in minutes, saving them hours of preparation time. In this manner, the clip-in braid device overcomes the limitations of existing clip-in braid devices known in the art.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a clip-in braid device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a clip-in braid device attached to a user of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one potential method of using one potential embodiment of the clip-in braid device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device. Further, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that allows a user to be able to clip-in their hairstyle and thus save hours of their day. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that eliminates the need to wait hours for their hair the set before they can wear the hairstyle. There also exists a long-felt need in the art for a device that allows users to secure hair in braids or a low ponytail without taking a lot of time to do the hairstyle. There exists a long-felt need in the art for a clip-in braid device that offers a way to create quick, simple, fast hairstyles, while allowing users to create and maintain any desired hairstyle for any situation.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised of a clip-in braid device. The device is primarily comprised of at least one horizontal member, at least one vertical member, at least one device attachment member, at least one horizontal fastener, and at least one vertical fastener. The device allows a plurality of vertical members to be attached to the horizontal member via vertical fasteners. These vertical members may be constructed in any orientation or any hairstyle that the user wishes to wear. Further, the horizontal member is attached to the device attachment members via the horizontal fasteners. This allows for the device attachment members to be removable in order to replace damaged device attachment members.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a clip-in braid device 100 of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is primarily comprised of at least one horizontal member 110, at least one vertical member 120, and at least one vertical fastener 122.

The device 100 is comprised of at least one horizontal member 110. The vertical members 120 attach to the horizontal member 110 in order to further attach the device 100 to a user's hair. The horizontal member 110 may be comprised of a plurality of durable materials to ensure that the device remains intact. In one embodiment, the horizontal member 110 may be comprised of a plurality of synthetic fibrous materials such as, but not limited to: vinyl, canvas, cashmere, chenille, chiffon, cotton, damask, jersey, lace, linen, wool, modal, polyester, satin, silk, spandex, suede, tweed, twill, velvet, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polypropylene, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, vinylidene, benzoate, aramid, rayon, acetate, triacetate, etc. In this embodiment, the fibrous materials would be woven in such a way to ensure that the horizontal member 110 retained strength while also resembling the user's natural hair. This would ensure that the device 100 was functional as well as visually aesthetically pleasing.

In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal member 110 may be comprised of at least one interior member to further ensure strength of the horizontal member 110. Here, the device 100 would be comprised of at least one interior chain 116 that is wrapped in a fibrous exterior layer 118. This would ensure that the device 100 will not break while also retaining the appearance of normal hair.

In the differing embodiment, the internal chain 116 may be comprised of a metal material. There are a plurality of metals that may be used such as, but not limited to: aluminum, stainless steel, tin, beryllium alloys, magnesium, titanium, etc.

In a further embodiment, the interior chain 116 may also be comprised of a plurality of flexible plastic materials such as, but not limited to: acrylic, polycarbonate, polyethylene, thermoplastic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, low-density polyethylene, medium-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, polylactic acid, acetal, nylon, fiberglass, recycled plastic, biodegradable plastic, etc.

The interior chain 116 may also be comprised of a plurality of rubber materials such as, but not limited to: Neoprene, silicone, nitrile, EPDM, Styrene-Butadiene, Butyl, natural, fluorosilicone, natural rubbers, neoprene rubber elastomer, silicone rubber elastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, buna-n rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber elastomers, viton rubber elastomer, diaphragm rubber, thermoplastic rubber, etc.

The device 100 is also comprised of at least one vertical member 120. The vertical member 120 is intended to look like the hairstyle the user wishes to have. The vertical members 120 are preferably constructed from a fibrous material that resembles the hair of the user. This will ensure that the device 100 is visually appealing.

In differing embodiments, the vertical members 120 may be any combination of colors that the user wishes their hairstyle to be such as, but not limited to: blond, red, orange, black, brown, white, blue, purple, pink, amber, tan, light brown, dark brown, or combinations therein.

In differing embodiments, the vertical members 120 may be oriented in a plurality of ways. The vertical members 120 may be oriented in a variety of hairstyles to allow the user to have a plurality of choices.

There are a plurality of hairstyles that the vertical members may be arranged in such as, but not limited to: medium box braids, cornrow braid, long bob box braids, knotless box braids, crochet box braids, jumbo box braids, French braid, braided ponytail, Dutch braid, lemonade braids, fishtail braid, feed-in braids, goddess braids, braided buns, Fulani braids, waterfall braids, yarn braids, crown braid, butterfly braid, snake braid, triangle box braids, Senegalese twist braids, halo braid, side braids, Ghana braids, micro braids, ombre braid, tree braids, small box braids, bob braids, passion twist braids, feed-in braids, butterfly box braids, fishbone box braids, dookie braids, etc.

In another embodiment, The vertical members 120 also may also be comprised of a plurality of accessories 121 positioned on/in the vertical members 120 such as, but not limited to: filigree tubes, pearls, hairpins, beads, braiding string, coils, feathers, shells, styled clips such as butterflies, hair hoops, split fasteners, braided string, yarn wrap, colored acrylic yarn, braid ornaments, decorative safety pins, braid sleeve, dream catcher ornament, rhinestone clips, wooden beads, rubber bands, etc.

In the preferred embodiment, the vertical members 120 are attached to the horizontal member 110 via at least one vertical fastener 122. The vertical fastener 122 allows the vertical members 120 to be removably attached.

The vertical members 120 being removably attached allows for the user to be able to interchange the vertical members with other vertical members 120 for further customization of their hairstyle. Further, if one of the vertical members 120 become damaged, it can easily be replaced without having to purchase an entire new device 100.

The vertical fasteners 122 may be any fasteners known in the art such as, but not limited to: adhesive, hook and loop, tongue and groove, knotted fastener, magnetic, etc.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of a clip-in braid device 100 attached to a user of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. The device 100 is comprised of at least one device attachment member 112, and at least one horizontal fastener 114.

The device attachment members 112 allow for the device 100 to be attached to the user's hair. This allows for the user to attach the device 100 conveniently and quickly. This saves the user hours of time every day by allowing for quick attachment of the device 100.

There are a plurality of attachment members that may be used such as, but not limited to: claw clip, snap clip, hinged barrettes, banana clip, double prong clip, alligator clip, duckbill clip, rubberized clip, mini shaped clips, sectioning clips, bobby pin, French barrettes, U-shaped hairpins, etc.

The device 100 is also comprised of at least one horizontal fastener 114. The horizontal fastener 114 attaches the horizontal member 110 to the device attachment members 114. This allows a user to be able to remove the device attachment members 112 from the device 100 to replace them if they become broken or worn out. The horizontal fasteners 114 used may be any fastener known to one skilled in the art such as, but not limited to: magnetic, adhesive, tongue and groove, hook and loop, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of one potential method of using one potential embodiment of the clip-in braid device of the present invention in accordance with the disclosed architecture. First, the user attaches the desired vertical members 120 to the horizontal member 110 via the vertical fasteners 122 [Step 202]. Then, the user attaches the device attachment members 112 to the horizontal member 110 via the horizontal fasteners 112 [Step 204]. Next, the user attaches the device attachment members 112 to the hair [Step 206]. Then, in a circular fashion, the user attaches the rest of the device attachment members 112 to the hair where needed [Step 208]. Then, the user adjusts the device 100 as needed [Step 210]. Finally, when the user is done using the device 100, the user removes the device attachment members from the hair, and stores for later use [Step 212].

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “clip-in braid device” and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the clip-in braid device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the clip-in braid device 100 of the present invention and its various components can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that they accomplish the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration, and material of the clip-in braid device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the clip-in braid device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the clip-in braid device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the clip-in braid device 100 may be of any size, shape and/or configuration that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A clip-in braid device comprising: a horizontal member; a vertical member; and a device attachment member.
 2. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein a horizontal member is comprised of a fibrous material.
 3. The clip-in braid device of claim 2, wherein the fibrous material is comprised of a vinyl, a canvas, a cashmere, a chenille, a chiffon, a cotton, a damask, a jersey, a lace, a linen, a wool, a modal, a polyester, a satin, a silk, a spandex, a suede, a tweed, a twill, a velvet, an acrylic, a modacrylic, a nylon, a polypropylene, a polyurethane, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyethylene, a vinylidene, a benzoate, an aramid, a rayon, an acetate, or a triacetate material.
 4. The clip-in braid device of claim 1 further comprising an interior chain.
 5. The clip-in braid device of claim 4, wherein the interior chain is positioned within the horizontal member.
 6. The clip-in braid device of claim 4, wherein the interior chain is manufactured from a durable material.
 7. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is manufactured from a fibrous material.
 8. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is an accessory.
 9. The clip-in braid device of claim 8, wherein the accessory is positioned on or in the vertical member.
 10. The clip-in braid device of claim 8, wherein the accessory is comprised of a filigree tube, a pearl, a hairpin, a bead, a braiding string, a coil, a feather, a shell, a styled clips, a hair hoop, a split fastener, a braided string, a yarn wrap, a colored acrylic yarn, a braid ornament, a decorative safety pin, a braid sleeve, a dream catcher ornament, a rhinestone clip, a wooden bead, or a rubber band.
 11. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein the vertical member is comprised of a vertical fastener.
 12. The clip-in braid device of claim 11, wherein the vertical fastener is comprised of an adhesive fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a tongue and groove fastener, a knotted fastener or a magnetic fastener.
 13. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein the horizontal member is comprised of a horizontal fastener.
 14. The clip-in braid device of claim 13, wherein the horizontal fastener is comprised of a magnetic fastener, an adhesive fastener, a tongue and groove fastener or a hook and loop fastener.
 15. The clip-in braid device of claim 1, wherein the device attachment member is comprised of a claw clip, a snap clip, a hinged barrette, a banana clip, a double prong clip, an alligator clip, a duckbill clip, a rubberized clip, mini shaped clips, sectioning clips, a bobby pin, a French barrette or a U-shaped hairpin.
 16. A clip-in braid device comprising: a horizontal member; a horizontal fastener; a vertical member; a vertical fastener; and a device attachment member.
 17. The clip-in braid device of claim 16, wherein the vertical member is comprised of a braided hairstyle.
 18. The clip-in braid device of claim 17, wherein the braided hairstyle is comprised of a medium box braid, a cornrow braid, a long bob box braid, a knotless box braid, a crochet box braid, a jumbo box braid, a French braid, a braided ponytail, a Dutch braid, a lemonade braid, a fishtail braid, a feed-in braid, a goddess braid, a braided bun, a Fulani braid, a waterfall braid, a yarn braid, a crown braid, a butterfly braid, a snake braid, a triangle box braid, a Senegalese twist braid, a halo braid, a side braid, a Ghana braid, a micro braid, an ombre braid, a tree braid, a small box braid, a bob braid, a passion twist braid, a feed-in braid, a butterfly box braid, a fishbone box braid or a dookie braid.
 19. The clip-in braid device of claim 17, wherein the braided hairstyle is manufactured in a blond, a red, an orange, a black, a brown, a white, a blue, a purple, a pink, an amber, a tan, a light brown or a dark brown color.
 20. A method of using a clip-in braid device, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a vertical member to a horizontal member via a vertical fastener; attaching a horizontal member to a device attachment member via a horizontal fastener; attaching the device attachment members to a hair in a circular motion; and removing the device attachment members from the hair. 